Lock-switch mechanism



March 31, 1931. 1. R. BINGA-MAN LOCK SWITCH MECHANISM June 6. 1927 Filed Patented Mar. 31, 1931 ,UNITED STATES JOHN R. BINGAMAN, OF WEST READING, I PENNSYLVANA Loox-SWITCH MEH'ANISM Application filed June s,

My invention relates to locking `mechanism in which the key rotation merely positions the movable key-controlled element for subse quent completion of such movement only upon withdrawal of said key from the lock, my object being to require such removal of the key, to prevent its deliberately or inadvertently remaining in the lock after operation for unauthorized later use. Such lockinganechanism may be found useful for a number of purposes, but is particularly a1- plicable to the ignition switch mechanism of an automobile, where the requirement that the key be removed before ignition can be completed, is specially of value, as it insures against the key being in the lock when the car is stopped for ready operation by the joy-riderv thief. f

lith this main object in View, and with other objects that will appear later as the description proceeds, my invention comprises the improved structure hereinafter fully described in connection with the drawings -accompanying the same and forming part thereof, the novel features thereof/being particularly set forth in the appended claims.

The drawings show a preferred lembodiment of my invention, as applied specifically to the ignition switch mechanism ofan automobile, for which, among other uses, it is readily applicable, and'indicate in,-

Fig. l a sectional elevation of a switch box embodying my improved lock mechanism, 'the section being taken on the line 1-,1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 a cross-sectional view of the same taken on the line2- `2 of F ig. 1; somey of the parts being shown differently positioned for the purpose of clearness. A

Fig. 3 a longitudinal sectional view thereof 'on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, but with a diflerent key position. 1

Figs. 4, 5 and 6, diagrammatic showings respectively of three main positions of operation.

Fig. 7 a modification within the scope ofthe inventiomshowing a lock bolt in place of the switch element indicated in Figs. 1 to 6.

Referring now particularly to the showing in Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings, inwhich, like figures of reference refer to like parts, 5 indi- 1927. serial No. 196,762.

cates any suitable boX adapted to contain the ignition switch mechanism for an automobile, and which usually comprises, as indicated, two .spaced contactfelemen'ts 6 and 7, connected in known manner by wires 8 and 9 to the usual electrical system, and an ignition opening and closing switch element 10, shown pivotally mounted at 11 andhaving arms 12 and 13 provided with ends 14 and k15 adapted to be swung into and out of engagement ref spectively with contacts Gand 7 ,thebox 5, for insulating purposes, being preferably formed of non-conducting material, asbakelite, hard rubber, or the like. Such generally known ignition switch' mechanism has heretofore commonly been operated as by a hand lever, to engage and disengage said contacts; and where a lock device has been employed, the key controlled said switch by turning movement only, andcould remain Vin the lock at all times irrespective of whether or not the electric circuit wasA open or closed. In my improved lock mechanism now about to be decribed in detail, such inadvertentor deliberate leaving of the key in the lock is impossible, as ignition cannot be comp'letedwithout its removal, and replacement of the key during such kswitch vengagement is made impossible.

In the drawings I have indicated a cylinder lock 20 of any known construction, operated by a key 21, as usual, to free the rotatable cylinder 22 from the tumbler pins 23, said cylinder carrying a cam 211 adapted to contact with an arm 25, preferably of non-conducting material, extending radially from switch 10 so as to rotate the latter in one direction;

I reverse swinging of said arm 25 in thefpresent instance, being effected by a hand lever 26 having an extendedpivot stem 27 carrying a cam 28 rotatable in the plane of arm 25. In this lock, as heretofore, the 'key 21/may be inserted and withdrawn only when the tumbler pins of the lock 2O and rotatable cylinder 22'are in register-and when said cylinder is partly rotated as in Fig. 1, said pins, indi cated by dotted lines, are out of register and those in the cylinderengage the recessione in the edge of the key to prevent its withdrawal, as well understood.k The lock 20 is shown as mounted in a cylindrical extension 30 of the rear casing wall, with lock cam 24 opposite a cut-out portion of sai-d extension, indicated at 31 in Fig. 2, through which latter the switch arm extends into the throw of cam 24 when in one extreme of its swing. And to insure positive action of said switch 10 and its retention in either extreme of its swing, Iprovide as shown, a flexible device 35, preferably in the form of a coil spring, with its ends engaging respectivelya radial post 36 onswitch 10, and a fixed post 37 on theI casing wall: said spring being reversely flexed, as vindicated in dotted line showings, by the swingf ing movement of switch 10, so that its torque acts to restrain the switch against turning movement untilthe post'36 passes the dead center ofits travel, when said torque acts to continue such switch" turning movement.

To require removal of the key before its cont-rolled element can complete its movement started by such rotation, I have indicated in the specific showing of the drawings, acontact guard 40, preferably of 'non-conducting material, carried on the end of a lever 41, intermediately pivoted at 42, so that said guard may swing ,above Contact 7 into the arcrof travel of switch arm end 15, to limit the swing of said switch short of engagement withits contacts 6 and 7 but under pressure of spring 35, dulyflexed by such preliminary switch movement, and ready to effect further 'contact-engaging swing to the switch upon withdrawal of guard'40 from its arc of swing. Lever 41 is, as shown,`oscillated by a lever A t3-pi voted at 44 and having a pin 45 engag.

ingl an inclined slot 46 in the lower end of Alever 41. And lever 48 is operated by the key 21 in the preferred construction shown, through a special pin 50 extendinginto the key'way and actingy in a manner similar to the tumbler pins 23, but preferably-bearing on the opposite straight under-edge of said key, and furthermore said pin 50is preferably so located in said way as to practically require full withdrawal of the key in order to free said pin from key action thereon. Said pin 50, as shown, is connected to lever 43 byl a pivot 51, and extends through alined apertures in the extension and lock casing v22 to engage in a recess 53 therefor in the key' way of cylinder 22; and when said pin is seated in said recess 53, insertion of the key acts thereon to swing lever 43, and, through leve`r41, move guard to' posit-ion over contact T-and into the path of travel ofl switch arm end 15 which latter comes to rest on said guard. yRemoval ofthe vkey from its way, frees pin and levers 43 and 41v and guard 40 Afor reverse movement, thus permitting spring 35 tofurther swing switch 1() to engagement with contacts 6 andf; springs 54 acting on lever 41, and acting on lever 43, insuring vsuch quick reverse -movements Cylinder 22 is further showirwith a partial circumferential recess 56 in which the key` depressed pin 50 rides to limit rotation of cylinder 22 except as required to effect the aforesaid initial swinging movement of switch 10. It will be understood that after cylinder 22 is partly rotated by its key 21, said -cylinderis `reversely rotated tothe startingpointfso that the key may be withdrawn, such reversing movement having no effect on switch 10, as the latter has, by such first cylinlder rotation, been swung suiciently to tension spring 35 to hold it and exert further turning pressure on said switch. When the switch has been swung into engagement with its contacts 6 and 7, by spring Vaction upon withdrawal of guard 40 as effected by the key removal, the latter may not again be inserted into its way until the -switch has .been reversely swung by hand lever 26, as lever end 15 then lies in the path of guard 40 and prevents any swing thereof, and consequently the pin 50 is prevented from moving, thus blocking the way against introduction of said key. Proper insulation of the electric circuit, it will be noted, is simply provided for by making the casing 5, arm 25, and contact guard 40, of non-conducting` material as stated.

In the diagrammatic views: Fig. 4 clearly indicates the open switch position, with key removed and switch closing movement prevented by the locked cylinder 22. F ig. 5indicates the initial movementeffected by rotation of the inserted key, guard 4Q being new moved to close contact 7, and spring 35 reversely flexed. Fig. G shows the completed -switchmovem'ent into contact engagement, eiected .by'tension 'of-spring 35 upon reverse swing of'guard 40 vas yeffected only by-the'key removal from the lock.

It will be clearly understood from the foregoingdescription, thatA my main object of requiring removal of thekey from thev lock v to complete its key-controlled element movement, is accomplished in a simple and effective manner; and for the particular application to an automobile ignitionswitch mechanism, insures that the keymaynot inadvertently remain in the lock while the engine is running, but is'required to start ignition,

and furthermore said ignition is locked in idle position without further action .upon turning of hand lever 26 to-reverse said switch movement. v

As my improvements relateto the locking mechanism, and not tothe switch construction, I have not attempted toV show the required insulation of the switch elements, it

being understood that due provision therefor may be readily provided as heretofore. AndV furthermore to prevent ready cutting and splicing of the ignition wires outside of the thus effectively locked switch box,'I have shown the-se Wires as extending through heavy protecting tubes, which, in connection with due care in securely aftixing the box to the automobile, will deter unauthorized tampei-ing with' the latter by any but the most determined thief supplied with a kit of tools. It will be readily understood that thev mechanism above described may be used for other purposes than controlling an ignition switch mechanism; for instance, in Fig. 7, I have indicated a `locking bolt 70, or the like, in place of switch 10, and also indicate a keyactuated lock lever 71 that positively prevents any preliminary bolt movement to be effected by key rotation, such latter movement merely exing a spring 72 so as to tension it to act in moving said bolt when the key is removed to disengage said lock lever 7l. A hand lever 73'may be used to retract said bolt and thus reversely flex said spring. Having thus fully described my invention, and the manner of itsoperation, I do not de- 'siretolimit myself to the specific embodiments above'set forth in detail, as other modifications may be devised within the scope and spirit of my invention as defined in the following claims;

That I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by 'Letters Patents, is:

` `l. A lock switchV mechanism comprising a contact element, a movable switch element engageable therewith, means to obstruct engagement of the switch element with the contact element, a lock, means actuated by the lock for moving the switch element toward the contact element, said lock having a keyway, a movable key obstructing element extending into the keyway of the lock, a key insertable into the keyway for actuating the lock, means operatively connecting the key obstructing element to the first mentioned obstructing means, whereby movement of the lock bythe vkey causes initial movement of the switch element toward the contact element, and withdrawalof'the key causes the key obstructing element to project into the keyway to withdraw the' first mentioned obstructing `means from the path of movement of the switch element, to vallow the latter to engage said contactlelement, and spring means for automatically moving the switch element into i a contact element, a movable switch element c'ngagement'with the contact element when the obstructing means has moved out of obstructing position.

2. A lock switch mechanism comprising engageable with the contact element, a key type lock for initiating movement of the switch element toward the contact element, said lock having a keyway, a movable obstructing member extending into the keyway, a key for the lock, said obstructing member movable under the influence of the key when the latter is inserted in the keyway, a switch obstructing member movable into the path of Y movement of the switch element, means connecting the obstructing members for causing the switch obstructing member to Ymove into obstructing position when the key is inserted in the keyway, means cooperating with the connecting means for moving the key obstructing member into the keyway and the switchobstructingmemberfout of thepath of movement of the switch element when the-key is Withdrawn from the keyway, and spring means for moving the switch element into engagement with the contact element when the switch obstructing member is moved out of obstructing position.

3. A lock switch mechanism comprising a contact element, a` movable switch element engageable with the contact element, a key type lock for initiating movement of -the switch element toward the contact element, said lock having a keyway, a movable obstructing member extending into the keyway, a key for the lock, said obstructing member movable under the influence of the key when the latter is inserted in the keyway, a switch obstructing member movable into the path of movement of the switch element, means connect-ingl the obstructing members for causing the switch obstructing member to move int-oobstructing position when the key is inserted in the keyway, means cooperating with the connecting means for moving thekey obstructing member into the keyway and the switch obstructing member out of the path of movement of the switch element when the key is Withdrawn from the keyway,fand spring'means for moving the switch element into engagement with the contact element when the switch obstructing member is moved out of obstructing position, said switch element blocking movement of the vswitch obstructing member toward the switch elementlwhile the switch element is in engagement withV the contact element and thereby preventing the keyway obstructing member from moving out ofthe keyway until the switch element is disengaged from the contact element. Y4. A lock switch mechanism vcomprising a contact element, a movable switch element engageable with the contact element, a key type lock for initiating movement of the switch element toward'the contact element, said lockhaving a keyway, a' movable vobstructing member extendinginto the keyway, a key for the lock, said` obstructing member movable under the influence of the key when the latter is inserted in the keyway, a switch obstructing member movable into thepath of movement of the 'switch element, means con- Hwhen, the,l key lis. i. withdrawn i from the keyway, spring means for moving the switch ele- .':ment intoengagement with thecontactele- .nient when. the switch obstructing member `is moved out of obstructing. position, and

manually V'operated means for initiatingV movement ot', the s witchelement away from the contact-element. Y n

5. A lock switch mechanism comprising a contact element, a movable switch element engageable with the contact element, akey type lock for initiating movement .of the switch element toward the contact element, said Vlock .having a `keyway, a .movable obstructing member extending into the keyway, ai key for the lock, said obstructingmember -movable yunder the influence of the key when thelatter .is inserted in the keyway, a switch obstructing member movable into the path of movement of the switch element, means connecting the obstructing members for causing the switch obstructing member to move into obstructing position when the key is inserted in the keyway, means cooperating with the `connecting means for moving the key obstructingmember. into the keyway and .the switch obstructing member out of theI path vofgmovement of the switch element when the key is withdrawn from the keyway, spring f `meansfor moving the'switch element. into engagement with the Contact element when the switch obstructing member .is moved out oflobstructing position, and-a hand operated camengageablewith theswitch element for 1 initiating movementofjthe latter away from ber movable under the iniiuence of vthe key when the latter is inserted in the keyway. a switch obstructingmember movable into the path of movement of the switch element, means connecting the obstructing member for causing the switch obstructing membersto jmove intoobstructing position when the key is inserted `in the keyway,l means cooperating with the connecting' means for moving the key obstructing member into the keywayand the switch obstructing member out ot the path of movement of the switch element` when the key .is withdrawn from'tlie keyway, and

lspringmeans for moving the switch element finto engagement,- witlvithe contact elementv when the; switch obstructing member is .moved out :of obstructing; position, ther means connecting the obstructing members comprisingal lever having its medial portion mounted on` aliixed pivot, the switch ob-l structing member being secured to one-ond ofsaid lever, the opposite end portion ofthe lever having an inclined. slot, a ,second lever having one` of its ends mounted o n aQiXed pivot, apin at the opposite-end of the second lever slidablyengaging the slot, thekeyvv ob- .structino lmember being pivotally mounted s v.on thesecond lever.

T. 1A lock. switch mechanism comprisinga contact element,l a movable switch; element engageable with the contact element,a pin tumblertype lock having a `keywaly andv 'providedwith a movable element engageable with the switchelement for initiating movement ot the latter toward the contact element, a 'movable key obstructing member `project-ing into said keyway, a, key 'insertable .into the` keyway and Yengageable with said obstructing member ltor moving thevlatter away. from the keyway, saidkey Yacting to operate the movable member of lthe lockunder the influence .of the operatorffor initiat ing movement of theswitch element toward the contact element, a switch obstructing member. movable into and out of the path `ot movement of the switch element, :means op1 `eiatively connecting .the obstructing'members for causing the(switchobstructing member to move into obstructing position when ther switchy obstructing. member isV moved away from the keyway yby the insertion'of,

sin

the key in thelatter, means cooperating withl A said connecting means for moving the key obstructing member into the keyway, and the switch obstructingfmember ,out of` obstructing positionwhen the key is with-drawn from theV keyway, and spring means for movy ing the switch elementinto engagement with the contact element when the switch, obstructingmember has been moved outot obstructing position.

8. A lock switch mechanism comprising a -contactelement, a movable. switch element engageable with the Contact element, a pin tumbler type lockha-ving akeyway and provided with a movable' elementengageable fitli the switch element `for initiating move- .nient of Vthe latter. toward the contact. 161eme'nt, a movable key .obstructing member projecting into said keyway, a key insertable into the keyway and engageable 'said'v Y obstructing member yfor moving the latter away from the keyway,' said key actingto operate the movable member of the lock un- .der the influence of the operator for initiating movement of the switch .elementtoward luno .Il ll) .the contact elementa. switch obstructing" member movable intofand .out of ythe pathfof movement of the switch element, means operatively connecting the .obstructing members for causing the switch obstructing'member to move into obstructing position when the switch obstructing member, is moved away `from the keywayrby `the insertion ot' the keyin the latter, meanscooperating with said connecting means .for moving thefkev obstructing member into the keyway, and

the switch obstructing member out of obstructing position when the key is withdrawn from the keyway, spring means for moving the switch element into engagement with the contact element when the switch obstructing member has been moved out of -obstructing position, and a hand operated member for initiating movement of the l switch element away from the contact element, said spring means functioning to complete the movement of the switch element away from the contact element.

9. A lock switch mechanism comprising a casing, a switch element pivotally mounted in the casing, stationary contact elements to be engaged by the switch element, a tumbler type cylinder lock mounted in the casing and having a rotatable plug, a cam connected to the plug and engageable with the switch element tor initiating movement of the latter toward the Contact elements, said plug having a keyway, a reciprocating obstructing member projecting into saidkeyway, a key for the lock insertable into the keyway and engageable with the obstructing member for moving the latter away from the keyway, a switch obstructing member movable into and out ot the path of movement of the switch element, a rst lever having its medial portion pivotally mounted in the casing, the switch obstructing member being united with one end of said lever, the opposite end portion of the lever having an inclined slot, a second lever having one ot its ends pivotally mounted in the casing, a pin at the opposite end of the second lever slidably engaging said slot, a pin pivotally connecting the key obstructing member to the second 0 lever, a spring engaging the second lever `tor forcing the key obstructing member into the keyway, a xed post in the casing, a post projecting radially from the pivoted switch element, and a spring interposed be- 5 tween and engaging said post for completing oscillatory movements of the switch element, and a hand operated e'lement engageable with the switch element for moving the same away from said contact elements. In testimony whereof: I aHiX my signature.

JOHN R. BINGAMAN. 

